The day I received my placement information and learned I’d be staying in a dormitory instead of with a host family, I felt a wave of anxiety. The fact that it was a single room, with no roommates, made me even more worried. How would I survive all alone in a new country? The dream of living with a host family, guiding me through everyday life, felt like it was slipping away.
On my first day in the dorm, I lay on the bed knowing that my new friends were all with host families or sharing rooms. I couldn’t help but feel a little left out. But what I didn’t realize then was that this quiet room was the setting for so many beautiful moments waiting to happen.
Once high school started, my entire perspective changed for the better. I made wonderful friends who always included me and never let me feel lonely. On the very first weekend, they invited me to hang out, and those fears of spending weekends alone began to fade away.
As our friendships deepened, my friends started inviting me on trips with their families. There were many special outings, but one trip stands out: my best friend took me to Kyoto with her family, and we wore kimonos together. That was such an important day for me—it was the moment I realized that not having a host family didn’t mean I was missing out on building those family-like bonds.
The same dormitory room I once saw as a lonely box transformed into the most comforting place I loved returning to every day. After a long day, stepping back into my own space felt incredibly peaceful. Cooking ramen while listening to good music, eating by the window—it all felt so right. That small room also became our cozy meeting spot. Whenever we had plans, my friends would come over to my room first to share snacks and chat before we all headed out together. It made the room feel even warmer, like a little home I had built for myself in a foreign land.
I had many unforgettable experiences in Japan, but I chose to share this story because of how much it means to me. I believe every future exchange student needs to hear it, so you never feel sad or left out. Good things are always waiting for you, even if they don’t arrive in the way you expect.
The biggest lesson I learned was to never compare your situation with others. It’s the best advice I received, and I want to pass it on to you: comparison is a waste of your precious time.
Another thing is: don’t put things off. Your time on exchange is limited. If there’s a café you want to try or a place you want to visit, do it when you have the chance. When it’s time to go home, you don’t want to look back with regret for the things you kept delaying. I truly hope these two lessons help someone else.
High school in Japan is one of the best experiences you could ever have, filled with moments that everyone—not just exchange students—should cherish. So go for it, live your life fully, and enjoy every moment in the most beautiful country: Japan.
